§ 25. Colonel YATEasked the Minister of National Service whether he will consider the question of making it compulsory for lads between fifteen and eighteen years of age to attend drills with the Cadet companies of Volunteer battalions in the same manner as men of older age are compelled to attend drill with Volunteer battalions?
§ The MINISTER of NATIONAL SERVICE (Sir A. Geddes)A proposal on these lines was most carefully considered at the time of the preparation of the Bill which became the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, and it was decided after full investigation that the balance of advantage lay in not including such a provision.
§ Colonel YATECan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the balance of advantage?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am afraid that it would be impossible to do so without exceeding the limits of time allotted to questions and answers. If my hon. Friend likes to discuss the matter with me I will talk it over with him, and then he can put down any further question he wishes.